Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Saturday, 18 August 2018

BBC News

• Going underground: Inside the disused Rhondda TunnelClosed for over 50 years, the former tunnel carrying coal from the valleys to Swansea could become a cycling and walking destination.
• Carrier to set sail for USThe Royal Navy's £3.1bn future flagship will visit New York during its 11-week trip to the US.
• Wales completes £800m order for 148 new trainsThe new fleet will have air con and each seat will have a power socket when they are introduced in 2022.
• London's Night Tube: How is it faring two years on?London's Night Tube began in 2016, but Transport for London says it is still not making money despite an increase in passengers.
• London Euston station closes for first of three weekendsNetwork Rail is urging people not to travel on a major line into or out of London.
• Relief road to open in Belfast's Titanic QuarterBelfast Harbour say they are
• Drink-driving 'prevalent' on NI roadsAlmost 10,000 drivers convicted of drink or drugs offences were disqualified in a five-year period.

The Guardian

• London bus cuts to hit working-class hardest, says watchdog TfL cuts to include routes used by workers living on outskirts to reach low-paid, central jobs

The Independent

• Nearly 80% of new diesel cars still pollute beyond legal limits, tests reveal‘Current official tests fail to measure the actual level of emissions that cars are producing on our roads’

Times Online

• MoD orders ‘will keep Clyde shipyards busy for another two decades’ (Subscription)Orders from the Royal Navy are giving Clyde shipyards a level of security that they have not had for decades, a defence minister has claimed.
• Collapsed Genoa bridge tower was due for repair this year (Subscription)The tower that brought down the Morandi Bridge, killing at least 38 people, was due for repair this year, raising new questions for the Italian authorities.
• Hundreds of old British bridges are safe, insist experts (Subscription)Highways England has promised to “learn lessons” from the Genoa disaster but insists that its bridges are safe and do not require any additional checks.

Mail Online

• British Airways flight declares a mid-air emergency on way to Ibiza British Airways flight BA2724 was due to leave Gatwick at 8.40am today, but actually took off at 10.03am - before landing back at the same airport 40 minutes later at 10.43am.
• Royal Navy's new £3m aircraft carrier Big Lizzie prepares to set sail for the US The landmark moment will come eight years since a fast jet last flew from a British aircraft carrier. The 65,000-tonne carrier is expected to leave Portsmouth Naval Base at about 6pm on Saturday

This is Money

• Petrol prices soar to a four-year high despite cost of oil falling Unleaded has hit 129.71p per litre, the highest price since August 2014, meaning it now costs almost £71.50 to fill up a typical family car, according to the AA.
• Plans to reopen mothballed Manston Airport in Kent move a step closer The Government’s Planning Inspectorate has launched an inquiry into proposals by Riveroak Strategic Partners to reopen mothballed Manston Airport.
• Motor claims are falling but the cost of car insurance remains high The number of motor insurance claims fell by 8 per cent in the first half of 2018 compared to the same period last year, to 326,699.

Bolton News

• Highways England reassures drivers after Genoa bridge collapseHIGHWAYS England have bosses have spoken out to reassure drivers that British bridges are safe after 38 people were killed in a collapse in Genoa, Italy.
• Union agrees to talks over rail strike actionTALKS between union bosses and train operators will go ahead after threats of three days of new strike action.

London Evening Standard

• Helicopter and drones to spot faults on rail tracks in bid to improve Waterloo services Thermal imaging cameras in a helicopter and drones are to fly over the railway tracks between Waterloo and Weymouth to identify faults causing delays to trains.
• Night Tube set to boost London economy by £1.5bnTransport bosses marked the Night Tube's second anniversary today amid predictions it will contribute more than £1.5 billion to London's economy over the next 10 years, double initial projections.
• Euston station to close for next three weekends as maintenance work takes place on West Coast lineCommuters are facing disruption as Euston station closes for three weekends in a row.
• BA worker who won crucifix case launches legal action against airline bossesAn airport check-in worker who won a landmark battle against British Airways, allowing her to wear a cross to work, has launched legal action against airline bosses.
• Elon Musk says 'I was not on weed' as Tesla tycoon defends his $420 buyout tweetTesla's colourful founder Elon Musk today moved to deny rumours he had been intoxicated when sending last week's now-notorious tweet about taking his carmaker private.
• Genoa bridge collapse: Crumbling roads crisis casts shadow over holiday weekend in ItalyItalians will this weekend be enjoying the Ferragosto summer break, escaping the hot towns and cities for the seaside, lakes and mountains.

Northern Echo

• Be warned - traffic disruption likely during 16 weeks of gas works MOTORISTS are warned to expect delays and parking restrictions when 16 weeks of work to replace ageing gas pipes starts on Monday.
• Politicians want train service to visit east ClevelandPOLITICIANS are urging train bosses to consider extending a train service into east Cleveland.
• Genoa bridge collapse a 'rare failure' say expertsTHE bridge that collapsed in the Italian port city of Genoa was considered a feat of engineering innovation when it was built five decades ago, but it came to require constant maintenance over the years. The Morandi Bridge’s design is now being investigated as a possible contributor to its horrific collapse.

The York Press

• NRM is still pondering Leeman Road access issue THE National Railway Museum still hasn’t decided how local pedestrians and cyclists might best get into York city centre when its proposed new Central Gallery is built across Leeman Road.

Other Regional Press

• Big cars blamed as Weymouth's transport emissions rise BIG cars have been blamed for a rise in vehicle emissions in Weymouth and West Dorset.
• Rail crossing 'not as dangerous as you think' say localsNetwork Rail has been accused of exaggerating the dangers of a pedestrian rail crossing near Wool.
• Keyless cars blamed for a rise in vehicle crime in WiltshireCar thefts increased last year in Wiltshire according to the latest police recorded crime figures, likely propelled by an increase in keyless cars.
• Two hundred calls made to 999 on M4 fire OVER 200 calls were made yesterday to 999 by motorists to report a fire on the M4.
• Rail passengers endure three-hour delay and train evacuation near Trowbridge WEARY rail passengers endured three-hour delays and were forced to evacuate a train that had suffered a total brake failure just before Trowbridge station.
• Week long safety camera enforcement nets over 1,600 speeding drivers POLICE carried out a speed enforcement campaign around Devon and Cornwall between August 6 and 12.
• Extra winter flight routes from SouthamptonAN AIRLINE has boosted its 2018-2019 winter flying from Southampton on five of its key routes.
• More than 2,000 people caught speeding on county roads in just one week MORE than 2,000 people were caught speeding across Hampshire last week.
• Rise in car thefts in Bedfordshire, latest police data revealsCar thefts increased last year in Bedfordshire according to the latest police recorded crime figures, likely propelled by an increase in keyless cars.
• Great Northern: Replacement buses between Royston and CambridgeThere is currently major disruption on the Great Northern line between Royston and Cambridge.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Go-ahead for Felixstowe branch line upgrade to boost freight capacityNetwork Rail has been given permission to build a new bridleway bridge across the Felixstowe branch which will provide a safe public route across the railway and enable more goods to be moved by freight. Engineering works to upgrade the branch line have already begun, building the space needed...
• Council pitches £375m light rail scheme linking south to Heathrow airportSpelthorne Borough Council has submitted proposals for a light rail link from Staines-upon-Thames to Heathrow airport to provide “joined up journeys” into the airport from the south. The council is actively promoting the transport link which would be close to the existing railway...
• RMT strikes on SWR to go ahead as Cash complains of 'contemptuous and cavalier approach'The RMT have confirmed the next phase of their strike action on South Western Railway will go ahead from tomorrow after accusing the company of making a mockery of the negotiation process. The union suggested that SWR sent a team without the necessary authority or support of their paymasters in...
• Manchester council scolds Grayling for living in 'complete fantasy' on rail expansion delaysManchester City Council has blasted the transport secretary for appearing to blame the city authority for delays on rail infrastructure in the city. Chris Grayling appeared on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning where he was asked to give his view on Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s...
• Night Tube could contribute up to £1.5bn to London's economy, report saysThe Night Tube could contribute in excess of £1.5billion to London’s economy over the course of the next decade, doubling predictions from initial projections. Marking the second anniversary of the service, a report compiled by London First and EY also suggests that passenger numbers...